3. Welcome Editor: Sue Kenneally 4. St. Andrew’s - Rev’d. Mark Payne The Old Cottage, Brickhouse Road, CO6 2HJ 5. Café Church; Pastoral Care T: 01787 220402 Prayers For The Parishes 6. Luminous Goes Pancakes! E: [email protected] 7. Church Services for February All copy should be sent to Sue. 8. Church Notices; Seekers Design: Jonathan White 9. F.A.C.E.S.; Recycling E: [email protected] 10-11. Gardening 13. Ladies Advertising: Terry Hawthorn 14. Graveyard Extension 6 High Croft, CO6 2HE. T: 01787 223140 16. Museum E: [email protected] 18. School Hall Hire; Stay and Play All advertising should be sent to Terry. 21. The Flower Girls 22-23. Colne Engaine Festival 25. The Village Hall 27. Youth Club; The Mothers’ Union Our monthly magazine (double issues 3.30 Express in July/Aug and Dec/Jan) is delivered free 31. Women’s Institute of charge to all 400 households in Colne 33. The Lottery Engaine and . 34-35. Parish Council Notices 38. Foodbank Shopping List 1/4 Page 62 x 88mm £10 / £55 pa 39. From the Four Colnes’ Magazine 1/2 Page 128 x 88mm £17 / £80 pa 41. Poppy Book Club Full Page 128 x 188mm £20 or £110 pa 43. Correspondence - Robin Greatorex Cheques payable to Colne Engaine PCC. 45. Readers, please remember to mention 46. Ladies Group Forthcoming Events this magazine if you answer any of the 47. Senior Citizens Lunch advertisements. 50. Whist Drives We welcome advertising in our magazine, 21. Correspondence - Margaret Hill 52. Walking Groups the income from which helps to cover 51. Earls Colne Library production costs. This does not imply any 54. Useful Numbers; Advertisers Index endorsement or approval of the products 55. On the Buses and services mentioned in the advertising. 56. Defibrillator Operators This magazine is produced for the villagers 57. Like The Stars In The Sky of Colne Engaine by St Andrew's Parish 59. Village Diary Church.

FOR THE MARCH 2020 ISSUE PLEASE PROVIDE TH SUBMISSIONS BY 4 FEBRUARY 2020

Please provide Editorial in Word and Advertising as .jpg file

2 / www.colne-engaine.org.uk After a fabulous and busy Christmas and New Year, it was back to earth with a bump come the first week of January, all the boys in the house back to work or school, I could finally catch upon the mundane – the washing, restocking the food cupboards that had taken a battering over the previous few weeks, changing the beds, de-sparkling the house. Back to football clubs, swimming clubs, being a general taxi driver. And oh how I love the normality of it all. I’m not a great lover of New Years’ Resolutions, but this year I thought I would take part. So my resolution is to say the phrase ‘willy-nilly’ a whole lot more, if anything, it makes people smile a little when I use it and I’ve caught a couple of my friends using it in the odd place without realising it. This week my husband sent some old prints he had acquired off to a framers to be cleaned and re-framed, we had never opened up the back of these prints by local-ish (he was born in Colchester and resided for a part of his life in Chelmsford) artist C H Baskett before, and was quite surprised at what was discovered. Upon opening one of the etchings, there was discovered a 90 year old Christian Science Monitor newspaper from Boston USA. It made for fascinating reading, with articles as we would see today about what to wear in an office, about the weather (mostly rain), talk about the oil fields of Irak (yup, spelt like that!) and so on (I wanted to go through it with a red marker and correct all the Americanisms and odd-spelt words.). My favourite entries were ‘Warring on Medical Quackery’ (more for the title than the content), a section written in German (no idea what it is about, but talk about inclusion) and an advert from First National Stores suggested foods for Summer Menus, which included Red Cap Ammonia (not sure when that should be eaten…) Sealect Milk (direct from seacows perhaps?), Libby’s Corned Beef and Lard! I am now thinking of slipping a couple of copies of the Village Magazine under the floorboards of the next room we renovate for prosperity and for someone to have a giggle over in 100 years’ time. The magazine as always is packed full, and as this is the year of the Village Festival, keep a look out for all the events that are coming up (see pg. 22 and 23 to start with). Get practising with your artistic skills during the Doodle evenings down the pub (see pg. 19), learn to do some flower arranging with the new village Flower Club, see pg. 21, then win all the rosettes at the festival with your new found skills. Until next month. Sue Editor We are coming to the time of year where we see hopeful signs of Spring and yet we know that Winter could still have a sting in its tail. And we may be feeling that about the future too. Perhaps we are frightened as we look into the future of this year, we may be trying to look forward positively and yet not sure if there might be bad news around the corner.

How do we approach life with all its uncertainties? We could take a lead from Celtic Christianity which closely followed the rhythms and seasons of natural life especially the seasonal year. Just as we know that following the harshness of Winter there follows the new life of Spring, or even the daily reminder that as one day ends and the darkest night draws in, it will be followed by a new dawn and a new day. So much imagery in the Bible draws on these natural cycles of life which remind us that there is the promise of new life and that God is the author and sustainer of all life. What we see here is merely a foreshadow of the eternal life that God has in store for us.

I find the words of the English mystic, Julian of Norwich, to be a real source of reassurance, ‘God loved us before he made us; and his love has never diminished and never shall’ and ‘all shall be well, all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.’

So, let us look forward with confidence that God never leaves us but accompanies us through all of our life’s journey (whether we are aware of God or not). And let this inspire us to encourage and support each other whatever the year may hold.

If you are finding things hard at the moment and you would welcome a conversation with me or one of our Pastoral Care Team please give me a call on 220347 or email [email protected]

Blessings, Mark

4 / www.colne-engaine.org.uk

Would you or a friend like a visit from St Andrew’s Church, Earls Colne a member of our pastoral care team?

Just give one of them a ring. Sunday 16th February 2020 Ann Norris: 222015

It’s Church, but not as we know it! Beryl Amy: 223486 Service starts 6.30pm. All Welcome! Terry Hawthorn: 223140

Prayers For The Parishes — every Thursday

Date Time Venue 6th February 9.00 - 9.30am 12 Brook Street, Colne Engaine 13th February 9.00 - 9.30am 7 Tapestry Court, Earls Colne 20th February 9.00 - 9.30am 12 Brook Street, Colne Engaine 27th February 9.00 - 9.30am 7 Tapestry Court, Earls Colne Luminous Goes Pancakes! Tuesday 25th February 2020 3.30pm St. Andrew’s Church, Earls Colne

Free Pancakes! Crafts ● Games Fun for all ages ● All Welcome

6 / www.colne-engaine.org.uk Date Time Church Service Readings Season

10am EC Morning Worship

10am CE Morning Worship Ephesians Presentation of 2nd 1.11 – end Christ in the Holy Communion 10.30am WC Luke 6. 20 - 31 Temple (CW)

6.30pm LM Benefice Evensong

10am EC Morning Worship 1 Cor 2:1-12 9th Third before Lent – All Age Matt 5:13-20 10am CE

10am CE Matins

Gen 1:1–2:3 CE Holy Communion Rom 8:18-25 Second before 16th 10am EC (CW) Lent Matt 6:25-34

10.30am WC Morning Worship

10am EC Morning Worship 2 Peter 1:16-21 Sunday next 23rd Matt 17:1-9 before Lent 10am CE Holy Communion

Saint Andrew’s Churches EC - Church Hill, Earls Colne CO6 2RG. / CE - Church Street, Colne Engaine CO6 2EY. WC - Boley Road, White Colne CO6 2QB. / HA - Parsonage Street, CO9 2LD. LM - Church Road, Lt. Maplestead, CO9 2RG. / GT - Gestingthorpe, CO9 3AX. Services CW = Common Worship / BCP = Book of Common Prayer Contact Us Rev. Mark Payne has been licensed to the Colnes in a service that took place at Earls Colne on the evening of 5th November 2019. For Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals: Please contact The Reverend Mark Payne on 01787 220347 or [email protected] For all other matters: Please contact the churchwardens of the church in question: Earls Colne Colne Engaine Mr. Ray Wood - 01787 224140 Mr. Terry Hawthorn - 01787 223140 Ms. Helen Sherfield - 01787 222526 Mr. Desmond Shine - 01787 223378 White Colne Mr. Christopher Chamberlain - 01787 222200 Midweek Communion

Services in the Colnes Tuesdays 9.30am The pattern of services in the Colnes will be St Andrew’s Earls Colne subject to change. Followed by refreshments Please check the Parish Magazine and Pew News for details. All Welcome

Colne Engaine, Earls Colne and White Colne parishes are cared for by the Team Vicar and

Team Priest. To arrange Baptisms, Weddings, We’re all ‘seekers’ - no-one has all Funerals, other services or use of the Church, the answers! If you’d like to join us please contact: on our Christian journey as we study Team Vicar: The Reverend Mark Rayne and discuss God’s Word you’d be 20 Swallow Field, Earls Colne, CO6 2SW very welcome at our next meeting. [email protected] T: 01787 220347

20th February 2020 Church Wardens: at 5 Swallow Field, Earls Colne Mr Desmond Shine, 4 Brickhouse Road CO6 2HL 01787 223378 [email protected] Next Meeting: 19th March, 19 Church Street, Colne Engaine Mr Terry Hawthorn, 6 High Croft, CO6 2HE 01787 223140 [email protected] PCC Secretary: Mrs Suzanne Beckett 01787 221630 [email protected]

8 / www.colne-engaine.org.uk F.A.C.E.S (Friends at Colne Engaine School) would like to say a huge thank you to all the parents and villagers that supported the Christmas Fair this year. We raised an amazing £1,734.79!! With increasing budget cuts, the support and donations you give have never been more important and every penny really does count, so thank you. After a quieter month in January to recover from the Christmas fair, F.A.C.E.S are back in full swing this month with lots of fundraising events planned over the coming months: F.A.C.E.S Catch Up – 7th February 9:15. We would like to welcome anyone interested in F.A.C.E.S and the work we do to join us for a cup of coffee and a bacon sandwich after the school drop off. We are always open to new ideas and anyone interested in joining the committee or being a helper should come along to meet the team. Film Night – 7th February 3:15. Children will be treated to the movie Aladdin on the school halls big screen with their friends, along with hot dogs and popcorn to make it a real cinema experience it’s always a popular event. End of Term Treat - 18th February 3:15. Children will be able to purchase homemade shortbread heart biscuits after school, at the school gate, for 50p each. DATE FOR THE DIARY: The F.A.C.E.S AGM will be held at the school on Wednesday 18th March 2020. Please come along to hear what we have been up to and how you can help us going forward. Coming soon…. Family Quiz Night – Fun for all the family, get a team together to test your general knowledge. Bring your own drinks and nibbles. More information to follow soon. Easter Bake Sale - Friday 3rd April. F.A.C.E.S – Friends at Colne Engaine School [email protected]

Did you know .... Fork 'Andles now have collection bins for crisp packets, bread bags and toothbrushes & toothpaste tubes - all monies raised go to the Earls Colne Scout and Guide Hut Repair Fund. Eco Colnes & Halstead POOR SPUD I haven’t seen Spud for a while, turns out he had food poisoning, his wife, Rose, made him a nice thick stew, but somehow she confused shallots with daffodil bulbs, as a result he ended up in hospital, but the doctor says he should be out in the spring. While we are on the plot let’s have a look at what can go in now (if the ground is not waterlogged or frozen). Onions (Allium cepa) and Shallots (Allium cepa var.aggregatum) Aggregatum is from Greek meaning clustered this describes how the shallot set divides and produces a cluster of new bulbs. Planting The same principle applies for both of these, rake out a drill (shallow trench) about 1” deep, push the sets (bulbs) in to the ground (pointy end up) about 4” spacing for onions and 6”-7” for shallots. Firm the soil back from the sides of the drill leaving just the tips of the sets showing. If it is dry just lightly water along the row to settle the soil. Apparently if you grow carrots between the rows of onions the smell deters onion fly, and the onions have the same effect on carrot fly, might be worth a shot. Remember to leave extra room between rows as it is a bit early to be sowing carrots. It may be worthwhile fixing up some sort of bird deterrent as they tend to pluck at the protruding tips of the sets and uproot them. Broad beans (Vicia faba) Broad bean seeds can be sown now, plant them 2” deep at 9” spacing’s with about 18” between rows, again bird protection is a good idea ‘coz Pigeons love ‘em. Later on they may need staking if they are a tall variety (the beans not the pigeons). Clematis pruning A phrase that strikes fear into the heart of many a gardener. Why worry? It’s not like you will be arrested by the plant police and convicted for crimes against horticulture, I mean, what’s the worst that can happen. It could die, your wife could burst into tears and that could develop into an uncontrollable rage where she starts throwing your clothes out into the street, and then start harping on again about that time you showed more than a healthy interest in Norma Snocker’s melons at the Four Colnes horticultural show. But looking on the bright side, that’s highly unlikely. This is the standard advice given on pruning clematis. Clematis are divided into groups, we only need to worry about the first three for now.

10 / www.colne-engaine.org.uk Group one are winter and spring flowering such as ‘Montana’ and ‘Cirrohsa’ types, so with these leave well alone until they have finished flowering. Group two flower in early summer i.e. ‘Dr Ruppel’ and ‘Miss Bateman’, these need attention now. Follow the stem up from the ground to about 3’-4’ and cut off just above a healthy pair of buds. Group three flower from late summer onward, these include ‘Lady Diana’ and ‘Florida’ cultivars which can be cut down lower, about 1’from the ground, just above a healthy pair of buds. This is all very well if you can remember when they flowered, what if you’re not sure, well in my experience any clematis cut back to 2’ from the ground at this time of year, will recover and grow on during the year, even a group one will normally grow back, but, you will have cut off all the flowering stems, so no flowers till the following season. Having said all that, I don’t always follow my own advice, I have an early summer flowering ‘Nelly Moser’ growing through an apple tree, I have not cut it back for eight years and it flowers from the base all the way to its furthest tip every year, there is quite a bit of dead twiggy thatch in amongst the branches of the tree so to reduce the risk of disease to either the clematis or the tree I will cut it back this year. I am going to divide it into thirds, one third will be cut down to 2’ from the ground, one third cut to 6’ and the remainder I will leave up in the tree, it will be interesting to see what happens.

Just enough space for a quick plant of the month, this month has to be Hellebores, (Helleborus) So many different varieties with winter flowers ranging in colour from white through green and pink to purple and almost black, they all love dappled shade and moist humus rich soil, some thrive in dry shade but they are not necessarily the prettiest, they are for most of the year just a clump of green leaves, although some die back completely for the summer. But come the winter months and on into spring they produce masses of large flowers, they may be masked by the leaves so it does no harm to trim off some of the larger and older leaves, deadheading is also a good idea to encourage more flowers. Keep calm and carry on weeding ‘Later taters’ Gary - www.justsowgardens.co.uk 12 / www.colne-engaine.org.uk

Help create the new Graveyard Extension Boundary at St Andrews Church We’ll plant a tree or bush for you Help St Andrews Church new graveyard extension by dedicating a tree or bush for the new graveyard boundary. Each tree or bush you dedicate for planting will benefit people and wildlife for years to come. Whether you want to give back to the environment, share a gift, or create a memory of a loved one, each purchase comes with a personalised certificate.

Name: Address:

Email:

Telephone: Postcode:

I would like to purchase: Bush @ £20 per bush No. required ______Total £ ______Tree @ £50 per tree No. required ______Total £ ______Payment to be made by cash or cheque to Colne Engaine PCC Please write the dedication required on certificate, in the box below:

For further information please contact: Rita Prior at [email protected] or telephone 01787 223867

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EARLS COLNE HERITAGE MUSEUM November to June - Open 2-4pm - Saturdays and Sunday Admission free The Old Water Tower was part of the Atlas Works, the home of R. Hunt & Company. The Old Water Tower, Reuben Walk, Earls Colne,CO6 2SZ www.echm.org.uk

Annual Slide Show—A Village Year Social Events Season by Season and Short Tall Tales Unusual Stories from the Past “A Village Year” includes the activities of Voluntary Organisations, sporting events, carnivals and the annual Four Colnes’ Show. “Short Tall Tales” tells amusing and unusual anecdotes about people and events from the Earls Colne archives. Friday 7 February 2020 ● Earls Colne Village Hall ● 7.30 p.m. Admission Free ● Refreshments

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Colne Engaine Stay and Play is open School Hall every Wednesday 10-12 during the school term. We are a small, friendly baby and Available for evening toddler group held in the Courtauld or weekend lettings Memorial Hall. Every week we set up a different art and craft If there are any local groups looking for make and a messy play or somewhere to meet our school hall is sensory activity as well as available from 4.30pm to 10pm each evening lots of fun toys and games and also at weekends, term time only. for babies and toddlers. Mon-Fri before 6:00pm £13 per hour Everyone Welcome. Mon-Fri after 6:00pm £15.50 per hour Sat & Sun: £15.50 per hour Pip Morton (Add 5% surcharge if heating is required) www.facebook.com/ colneengainestayandplay For more information please call [email protected] Sarah Cushney on 01787 222717 Tel: 07775 943118

18 / www.colne-engaine.org.uk PEARTREE BED & BREAKFAST

Jill & Chris warmly welcome you to their 17th Century cottage in Colne Engaine.

2 double bedrooms plus cosy sitting room and private facilities. English or Continental breakfast. Countryside views and walks. Also available Shepherds Hut style accommodation, double occupancy with en-suite. T: 01787 223348 M: 07919 200646 E: [email protected] www.peartreebedandbreakfast.co.uk 20 / www.colne-engaine.org.uk Happy New Year to all, especially to those whom love flowers and gardening as much as I do. The gardens may lie dormant but as we all know, life goes on under the soil. Compost heaps are busy working hard with the attendant bugs and beetles, worms and even mice, getting ready to mulch and fertilize our new spring growth. There are already signs of green shoots; daffodils, snowdrops, crocus, alongside familiar foliage we so look forward to seeing. One of my New Year wishes is to start a flower club in Colne Engaine for 2020. So many people love the flowers in their gardens and are not too sure how to use them decoratively within the home. I know some readers of this illustrious village magazine have mentioned a desire to learn how to arrange flowers. This is such a lovely way to express your inner flower-power and I am hoping this club will be able to help. The team that keep the church looking festive and beautiful is combining to form this club to provide basic lessons in flower arranging. We’re not talking Chelsea designs yet but it’s a start! If you’d like us to help fill your vases, make table centre pieces, wreaths, leis, swags, posies and any other design please contact us to show your interest. You will need to provide your own flowers, foliage and a vase and we will help with the rest. Call: Janie – 220049; Val – 222000; or Ann – 222636 to register your interest. We can have flowers anytime, anywhere and anyone can do this. Your village flower girl, Janie Estcourt Planning is afoot for our biennial festival, which has been running now for thirty years! We put a big marquee up on the Recreation Ground and fill it with fun for four days… First up is the Thursday night quiz on 28th May – it will be ‘bring your own drinks and nibbles’ as usual so get a table of friends together and join what is always a fun evening! Tickets will be available soon. Next is our Friday Fun Night on 29th May – this is different every year and in a nod to this year’s Wild West panto we have picked an American Hoedown theme… put on your jeans and check shirt and join us to fall about laughing as we attempt to line-dance and square-dance, led by a professional caller and musicians… we are talking to caterers now and planning BBQ style food. It’s a grown-up evening but youngsters are welcome. Tickets will be available soon. Then on Saturday 30th May we open the Daytime Family Fete with a parade of performers, displays and interactive entertainment in the arena, stalls, games and plenty of music, food and drink. It’s free entry so put in your diary for a family day out! On Saturday evening it’s Band Night for over-18s and we have invited back the brilliant Funk Soul Lovers. We are currently looking for a support act to begin the evening so let us know if you know someone! Tickets will be available soon. Finally Sunday 31st May will see our second Daytime Family Fete but this time featuring the Dog Show and ‘Country Flair’ Craft Competition, with more displays in the arena, as well as stalls, games, music, food and drink. It’s free entry again and you can get ahead with your craft competition planning by finding the competition categories on our website at www.colneengainefestival.co.uk CAN YOU HELP? Many hands make light work - we are looking for volunteers to help in the run up to and over the festival weekend – can you help for an hour or more? Helpful things we need: helping with plumbing & electrics for the marquee - marshalling – selling tickets – manning activities – setting up gazebos – putting up posters locally – Facebook posting – collecting sponsors and prizes

Organised by the volunteers of Colne Engaine Festival Committee to bring the community together to showcase local talents and raise profits for local charities and community groups. www.colneengainefestival.co.uk [email protected] Chair: Juliet Townsend 07984 794004 Secretary: Pip Morton

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Independent IT Specialist; support for home users and small businesses. PC, Mac, Android and Apple. Home entertainment systems, tablets and televisions Call Richard Jones on 01787 223666 - 07813 746717 [email protected] - www.rjjitservices.co.uk

24 / www.colne-engaine.org.uk We are very excited at the Village Hall, due mainly to the excellent and prompt work of Dom Casey and all the complicated electrical work by Aaron Wymark of Opulous Innovations, the conversion ground floor of the house into a meeting room, toilet and tea bar has come on apace at last. We received two very generous grants. One of £8,000 from the Essex Council Community Investment Fund with much support from our local councillors, and one of £9,600 from the National Lottery. This will obviously allow us to move on with the development much quicker. Once the wonderful pantomime is finished, we can hopefully complete the plumbing and the flooring. We are looking for any ideas for the use of this new meeting room both during the normal working day or evening. Thank you Geoff

COURTAULD MEMORIAL HALL 1 Station Road, Colne Engaine, CO6 2ES FOR ALL YOUR SOCIAL NEEDS Receptions, Discos & Dances, Children’s Parties, Auctions & Fundraisers, Exhibitions, Meetings. AMPLE CAR PARKING. 01787 223668 www.courtauldmemorialhall.co.uk 26 / www.colne-engaine.org.uk Youth Club is held monthly at the village hall and any children from the village and/or local school can become members. Our age range is from Year 6 and up. Membership is for an annual £5 fee. All members are required to have an adult volunteer to help run at least one session a year. Other children can be signed in by any member as a guest. Each session fee is £2 (plus some extra money for tuck or ice cream in the summer).

Our upcoming dates are: 7th February; 6th March; 3rd April; 1st May

Grace Carey (email [email protected]) PS, we are still on the look out for a new Chair Person if anyone is interested…

Mrs. Inskip, wife of the Bishop of Barking, is the new President of The Mothers' Union for the Chelmsford Diocese. She cares for the 200 branches and 11,000 members. A Young Wives' branch has now been started for the younger members. Neville Bird

All aboard the 3.30 Express!

St. Andrew’s Church, Colne Engaine

The 3.30 Express runs every first Wednesday in the month during school term. For those who can’t make Church on Sundays or who would like a short Church service with lively singing and fun learning together. Refreshments available from 3.15pm for a 3.30pm start and finished by 4pm 28 / www.colne-engaine.org.uk

30 / www.colne-engaine.org.uk Our February meeting will be back in the Grace Carey Village Hall on the third Thursday of February at 7.30pm Childminding Our speaker is Kitty Marshall and the Services topic is Hedingham Suffragette Jan Cole Competition: The words for your own placard. W.I. meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 7.30p.m. in the Colne Engaine Village Hall. The W.I. offers opportunities for all women to enjoy friendship, to learn, to widen their horizons and together influence local, OFSTED registered childminder national and international affairs. Fun and learning in a caring and New members are always welcome to lively home environment our meetings. Come and see what we (term time only) are up to. T: 01787 220219 President Barbara Marcoolyn [email protected] Telephone 01787 222334 32 / www.colne-engaine.org.uk

I do hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas and I wish everyone a happy, healthy New Year.

You will have noticed the improvements made so far at the recreation ground. The fencing around the play area has been extended to enclose the area and so prevent loose dogs running in from the field beyond which has caused problems in the past. Seven pieces of outdoor gym equipment have been installed and early indications suggest it will be well used. The electrical supply to the lower recreation ground will be completed early in February making the supply for the Festival and any other events safer and more convenient. The last thing to be done is the delineation of car park spaces which will increase the capacity. The majority (93%) of the cost of all of these improvements has come from the funds paid by the developer of Bones Yard to Council to be used for community projects in our village together with a modest top up from the Community Initiative Fund (CIF). The availability of these funds is time limited. The remainder has been funded from the Parish Council reserves.

The majority of the December meeting was devoted to the financial section and particularly the draft budget for 2020/21. Obviously the control of the Parish Council’s finances is a vitally important function and at every meeting five items are checked carefully these are; a) Financial statements for the previous calendar month, b) Items on the previous months payment schedule to be approved and paid on line, c) Check and sign reconciliations of both bank accounts, d) Budget information as at the end of the previous month as prepared by Clerk, and e) Review earmarked reserves.

In December an additional and vital item is considered which is to consider draft budget for 2020/21 as produced by the Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer in preparation for the next financial year precept to be approved at January 2020 meeting. The budget was discussed in detail as was the calculation of 2020/21 Precept and Parish Rate. With the budget as produced the Parish Rate would increase by 5.7% which was thought to be unacceptable. All of the items of calculable expenditure were thought reasonable and could not be reduced but the budget for Election expenses was removed for next year as we already had a reasonable Earmarked Reserve for that and it would most likely be five years to the next election. In addition it was felt that we could reduce the contingency budget by £500. This reduced the re-worked Parish Rate to 2.97% which will be put to the January meeting with the final Precept calculation. The suggestion of a shade canopy discussed at the July meeting was raised but it was felt that it could not be considered in

34 / www.colne-engaine.org.uk the next financial year. Regards to all Terry (Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer to Colne Engaine Parish Council)

Parish Council Meetings Colne Engaine Parish Council meet at 8pm on the 2nd Thursday of each month with the exception of August and the meetings are held in the Jubilee extension of the Village Hall. Members of the public and press are welcome to attend and at the beginning of each meeting a 15 minutes Public Session is held for non-members to address Council on items specified on the agenda. Please feel free to e-mail any items you would like added to the Agenda and / or Noticeboard and they will be considered ASAP. In addition, if you have anything you would like to report to the Parish Council again feel free to e-mail or telephone. The Parish office is staffed on a part time basis so please feel free to leave a message and I will return your call as soon as possible.

MEMBERS OF THE PARISH COUNCIL, THEIR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES : Members of the Parish Council work hard to make sure that Colne Engaine remains a beau- tiful and tranquil place to live. So if you have any comments or suggestions please feel free to contact them. CLLR TRACEY JOHNS—01787 223372 CLLR ALAN BARNARD—01787 224709 [email protected] [email protected] FUNDING FOR VILLAGE PROJECTS; ALLOTMENTS; TOWNLANDS TRUST; VILLAGE SCHOOL COUNCIL LIAISON; FESTIVAL COMMITTEE LIAISON; RECREATION GROUND; FINANCIAL CONTROL; AND ALSO A CLLR NIGEL WARWICK—01753 494000 SEXTON’S FIELD TRUSTEE [email protected] CLLR TIM EVERITT—01787 223612 PLANNING LIAISON; RECREATION GROUND [email protected] CLLR IAN MESSENGER—07799 212266 ALLOTMENTS; TREE WARDEN & FOOTPATHS; [email protected] TOWNLANDS TRUST; ALSO A FINANCIAL CONTROL; FUNDING FOR SEXTON’S FIELD TRUSTEE VILLAGE PROJECTS; WEBSITE, I.T., AND CLLR LUCY ORROW—01787 224786 ARCHIVE LIAISON [email protected] CLERK AND FINANCIAL OFFICER PLANNING LIAISON; YOUTH CLUB TERRY ROOTSEY—07946 096331 VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE LIAISON; [email protected] ESSEX. ASSOC. OF LOCAL COUNCILS www.jacksonheating.co.uk

BETTER CALL BRITTEN Bicycle Repairs and Servicing

Collection and delivery service available

Contact: Phil Britten Tel: 07464 315278 or 01787 224585 Property Sales and Lettings in 8 High Street, Earls Colne, CO6 2PA Halstead and surrounding villages. [email protected] All types of property continually sought for buyers and tenants. Competitive rates. Puncture Repair (incl. new tube) from £15 A personal, professional, reliable service. Service from £20 Established 1990. Please call for more or find us on Facebook Contact Jonathan White on 01787 476888 St Andrews Cottage, rear of 21, Head Street, Halstead CO9 2AU

36 / www.colne-engaine.org.uk

38 / www.colne-engaine.org.uk February 1920 Earls Colne The Electoral Roll This Roll is being prepared for the registration of Church people who wish to vote for the Parochial Church Council which will be formed under the Enabling Act of 1919. The Declaration of Church Membership and the necessary qualification for voters will be found on the notice board in the Church Porch. Electors must be at least 18 years of age, of either sex, and have been baptised. They must sign a declaration that they belong to the Church of and no other communion. Foreign Missions Our offering for 1919 amounted to £18 14s 11d, made up from subscriptions, boxes, offertory and gifts. The SPG subscriptions amounted to £3 9s 6d, and the needlework gifts were valued at £6 6s. These are being sent to the stations in Burma and St. Cuthberts, Kaffraria. From The Essex Church News. Pleshey The question of obtaining a Diocesan Retreat House was settled by the loan of the House of Prayer at Pleshey. It was the Community House of the Sisters of the Servants of Christ and they have now moved to their other House in Potters Bar. The House of Prayer was blessed by the Bishop of Barking in 1909. It is Italian in architecture and overlooks the grounds of the old Norman Castle. Mrs. Harvey, the present lady- in-charge, has entertained 100 people during the last five months. Neville Bird

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40 / www.colne-engaine.org.uk The Poppy Book Club has been running for an amazing 14 years now and we meet on a Wednesday evening every six weeks. We have a regular number of bookworms and are now at a comfortable capacity. We have just read “The Dry” by Jane Harper. This book received a 3.5 out of 5 rating and was enjoyed by most that read it. Police investigator Aaron Falk returns to the small outback town of his youth for the funeral of an old friend and finds himself drawn into the secrets and lies that bind the town's inhabitants into a simmering pot of hatred, frustration and despair. The next book we are going to read is, “Wakenhyrst” by Michelle Paver. Which we will review at our next meeting. Please look out for our review in due course. For further information please contact Rita Prior on 01787 223867

JMAC INTERIORS Specialist Painters & Decorators Est. 1997

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• References Available • Fully Insured Contact: Jeff Macdonald Tel: 07778 031505 - 01787 224674 Email: [email protected] www.jmac-interiors.co.uk

42 / www.colne-engaine.org.uk The wine trade in January The view in both directions from Waterloo Bridge is incontestably one of the best views in London. Upstream, your gaze is drawn to the London Eye and, beyond that, to the Palace of Westminster; downstream, to the dome of St. Paul’s cathedral. From the third floor of the Institute for Engineering and Technology, you have all that and the view of Waterloo Bridge itself. It is easy to become distracted from the job of tasting wines by the interesting and attractive locations chosen by large wine importers to display their range. Wine tastings are held by the trade both in the early part of the year and in the autumn. Some firms become attached to one location. Liberty Wines has always chosen the Oval cricket ground for their tastings. In January, one could be greeted either by a green sward of beautifully tended grass or a blanket of snow covering the entire ground. By the autumn there might even be cricket to watch. The grass will have yielded to the stress of bat and ball and the groundsman’s uncompromising preparation of the season’s wickets. Tastings have also taken place at Chelsea football ground where the tasting room overlooked, on one occasion, the complete relaying of the pitch. No grass at all here; the pitch was a building site with piles of shingle and materials. Someone was heard to say that they now understood what was meant by a team ‘winning on aggregate’. Tobacco Dock, the old Billingsgate fish market, the Saatchi Gallery and the Royal Horticultural Hall are all regular venues. Others include former, and indeed current, ecclesiastical buildings. These are interesting both for the sheer elegance of the buildings and the stories they have to tell. One Marylebone Road, formally Holy Trinity Church, was built in 1826-28 to the designs of Sir John Soane to celebrate the defeat of Napoleon. It now hosts functions of all sorts. The Nederlandse Kerk [The Dutch Church] in the City of London was tucked round the back in a small street called Austin Friars and dwarfed by enormous office blocks. The present building replaced the original medieval church which was destroyed by bombing in 1940. It was re-built in 1950 and is an active church reaching out to the Dutch community in London and running weekly Dutch language services. While the nation was enjoying [or enduring] what has become known as dry January, it was possible to be lurching from one alcoholic experience to another. One of the most frequent things my customers say is, ‘I’d like your job. Do you need an assistant?’ It might stretch credulity to suggest there is real work to be done and that most of what one tastes ends up in the spittoon. I give these tastings a concentrated hour and try to arrive with some idea of what I want to taste. I may find only one or two wines I can list and put on tasting. With as many as 700 wines available to try, the best events are highly organised and relatively easy to navigate and no, I don’t try them all. Sometimes I have come away with nothing. There was one occasion where the wines were not numbered and the occasion chaotic. Arriving late in the afternoon I was greeted by large crowds and what could only be described as an alcoholic fug. I returned, disappointed, to the less glamorous world of phone calls, traffic and deliveries. Robin Greatorex 44 / www.colne-engaine.org.uk Lent Course 2020

‘After this, when Jesus knew that all now was finished, he said, “I am thirsty.”’ Jesus’ words from the cross – a picture of God sharing the world’s suffering, experi- encing our humanity – can be a window onto God’s purpose, leading to a deeper appreciation of his overwhelming love. Join us for over the six weeks of Lent as we journey together towards Good Friday and Easter Day. This book ‘I Thirst’ written by Bishop Ste- phen, has six chapters, and we will look at one chapter each week to reflect on God’s word and deepen our understanding of Lent, and our relationship with God.

When? Afternoons at 1.00pm OR Evenings at 7.30pm: Session 1: Wednesday 4th March, 1pm or 7.30pm at Earls Colne Baptist Church Session 2: Tuesday 10th March, 1pm or 7.30pm at St Andrew’s Earls Colne Session 3: Wednesday 18th March, 1pm or 7.30pm at Earls Colne Baptist Church Session 4: Tuesday 24th March, 1pm or 7.30pm at St Andrew’s Earls Colne Session 5: Wednesday 1st April, 1pm or 7.30pm at Earls Colne Baptist Church Session 6: Tuesday 7th April, 1pm or 7.30pm at St Andrew’s Earls Colne The Book ‘I Thirst’ is a requirement for the course, at the cost of £9.99, but please speak with Mark or Seven if the cost would be a barrier to you coming along or if you need help sourcing the book. For further information or to book your place contact Mark on 01787 220347 or Seven on 01206 621186 To every woman in the village, you are invited to join the ‘Colne Engaine Ladies’ private Facebook group. The group is an informal online space administered by myself and Lucy Orrow. It was set up to make it easier to share local information and has developed organically into a large supportive network of women who share hyper-local information and opportunities. The group is open to women over 18 who live in the village or regularly spend time working or volunteering here. We currently have 167 members, representing women from all ages and all walks of life. Social events are sometimes organised and our Christmas meal has filled the pub restaurant for three years running. An informal lunchtime get-together this January attracted 24 village ladies, so we have more dates to do it again. Upcoming events, open to all village ladies, are as follows. Please note that you don’t need to be in the Facebook group to come to these events.

Friday 7th February 12-2pm: Village Ladies Lunchtime Gathering at the Five Bells Drop-in for coffee or a bite to eat and meet/catch-up with other village ladies in the lounge bar. Thursday 13th February 12-2pm: Village Ladies Lunchtime Gathering at the Five Bells Drop-in for coffee or a bite to eat and meet/catch-up with other village ladies in the lounge bar. Friday 13th March 8-10pm: Village Ladies Cheese + Wine Evening at the Village Hall A cheese buffet with wine in celebration of International Women’s Day. £15 ticket available in advance from Juliet [email protected] Thursday 3rd December: Village Ladies Christmas Dinner at the Five Bells Details to follow in early Autumn

Juliet Townsend 14 Oddcroft, 07984 794004

46 / www.colne-engaine.org.uk Ladies from Crossways Christian Fellowship cook a two course lunch for up to forty people at Earls Colne Village Hall at 12.30 on alternate Tuesdays.

The cost is £3.50. If you would like to come contact Helen on 07900 995532. February lunch dates 4th and 18th

ESSEX AND SUFFOLK ROOFING

ROOF REPAIRS -TRADITIONAL TILING – FLAT ROOFS Fascia, Soffits, Guttering – Carpentry. Cladding

EARLS COLNE - 01787 224496 – 07795554442

[email protected]

David Yallop, 6 Oddcroft, Colne Engaine, CO6 2ET 48 / www.colne-engaine.org.uk

Piano Tutor Whist Drives are back on in the Village Hall. Qualified Piano Tutor, 6.30pm for a prompt 7pm start: vacancies available A light hearted game of whist with a coffee interval. For both beginners and those New faces are more than welcome, wishing to progress further. and instruction provided. All profits to the Courtauld Memorial All ages Hall Centenary Fund. DO COME AND JOIN US ON: Lessons taken in the comfort of your own home (if preferred) 27th Feb; 27th Mar 24th Apr Telephone Sally on 07763 837508 For more information, please call Frances Simmons on 222872 Or e-mail on [email protected]

Stephen Strelitz

[email protected]

50 / www.colne-engaine.org.uk Knitting for the Seafarers Beryl Amy (Earls Colne Church) reports that she recently delivered the splendid total of 53 knitted hats to the Mission to Seafarers. Many thanks to all who have given their time to knit these hats, which are much appreciated. The Mission says: You can help seafarers all over the world by joining our amazing group of knitters! These knitted items help seafarers arriving in the UK and around the world during the long, cold days and nights spent on the open seas. Each item of knitted clothing finds a home, and the seafarers they’re matched to are extremely grateful for the extra warmth! www.missiontoseafarers.org New knitters are always welcome - as are gifts of knitting wool. Visit the Mission to Seafarers website (above) for patterns, or have a word with Beryl. Margaret Hill

EARLS COLNE LIBRARY

Opens Tues & Fri, 1pm-5pm. Thurs & Sat, 9am-1pm. SILAS PENFOLD 38 High Street, Earls Colne. T: 223565 MOLE CATCHER 07927 893853

Traditional Trapper. Reliable Local Service. Colnes Footpath Association Our next walks Date: Sunday 2nd February 2020 Time: 1.30pm (n.b. earlier time) Meet at: Butler Road Car Park, Halstead Leader: Glynn (01787 475829)

Halstead Footpath Walkers Our next walk: Members & guests participate in Date: Sunday 9th February 2020 these walks entirely at their own risk Time: 9.30am Meet at: Earls Colne Village Car Park Walking boots or strong footwear (behind the co-op) advisable Leader: Richard

52 / www.colne-engaine.org.uk

Church Artist 17 St Andrews Church, Colne Engaine Bed & Breakfast 19 01787 220347 Bicycle Repairs 36 Councils Builders 32 Colne Engaine Parish Council 07946 096331 Care In The Home 30 Braintree District Council 01376 552525 Carpet Cleaning 50 Colchester Borough Council 01206 282222 Child Minding 31 Doctors Chimney Sweep 41 The Elizabeth Courtauld Surgery, Halstead 01787 475944 Coal Merchant 48 The Pump House Surgery, Earls Colne Computer Services 21,24, 44 01787 222022 Courtauld Hall 25 Schools Double Glazing 15, 24 Colne Engaine C of E (Aided) Primary School Drainage 45 01787 222717 Electrician 5, 29 Honywood Community Science School, Estate / Letting Agent 12, 36 Coggeshall 01376 561231 Fencing 26, 32 The Ramsey Academy 01787 472481 Financial Services 18 Fireplaces 42 Braintree Police Station 0300 333 4444 Funeral Directors 28, 40, 49 Village Amenities Colne Engaine Village Hall 01787 223668 Garden Services 37 Colne Engaine Village Shop 01787 220163 Hair & Beauty 31 Earls Colne Post Office 01787 222258 Interior Design 52, 53 Village Groups Library 51 Colne Engaine Village Archive 01787 222080 Mole Catcher 51 Youth Groups Musical tuition 50 Colne Engaine Youth Club 07984 794004 Painting and Decorating 42 1st Earls Colne Brownies 01787 224175 Physiotherapy 15 1st Earls Colne Girl Guides 01787 220065 Plumbing 36, 37 1st Earls Colne Rainbows 01787 224913 Plumbing / Heating 46

If you are an officer of a club or group in Pub 20, 58 Colne Engaine and would like to place Roofing 47 information about the group’s activities School Hall 18 and events in the magazine for free, please Security 49 contact the Editor (p.2). Solicitors 12, 16, 40

If you would like to advertise your business Sports Massage 13, 48 in the magazine please see the inside front Stay and Play 18 cover for advertising rates. Swimming Pool 47 Tree Surgeon 39 54 / www.colne-engaine.org.uk Village Shop 60 Colne Engaine to Colchester EVERY MONDAY TO BRAINTREE No. 82A and 82B The service stops in the villages and in Monday to Friday. Halstead and as long as it is safe to do so, From The Green 09:08, 11:18, 13:18 the bus will stop along the route within Arrives Osborne Street 09:58, 12:14, 14:11 the village when hailed. Monday to Saturday. For help boarding or leaving the vehicle, From The Green 09:05 or with shopping bags, just speak to the Arrives Osborne Street 09:58 driver. The service is fully accessible, but please would passengers in wheelchairs

phone ahead on 01376 557896.

FARES, payable on the bus Adult £2 (single or return) 5-16yrs £1 (single or return) Colne Under 5s Free Engaine Concessionary bus passes must be shown to receive free transport. Concessionary bus passes are available from Braintree District Council on 01376 551414.

Timetable 11.10 White Colne, Colne Commercials, Colchester Rd 11.13 White Colne, Village Green Colchester to Colne Engaine 11.14 Earls Colne, Tey Road, Lowefields No. 82 11.20 Earls Colne, Hillie Bunnies Monday to Friday. 11.23 Earls Colne, De Vere Road From Osborne Street 10:05, 12:20, 16:15 11.26 Colne Engaine, The Green 11.31 Halstead, Market Hill Arrives The Green 10:56, 13:10, 17:07 11.32 Halstead, Bridge Street Monday to Saturday. 11.55 Braintree, Sainsburys From Osborne Street 16:15 14.00 Braintree, Sainsburys Arrives The Green 17:07 14.18 Halstead, Bridge Street 14.19 Halstead, Market Hill Please note that the 83 route is now 14.24 Colne Engaine, The Green solely used on the Bures/Colchester run 14 27 Earls Colne, De Vere Road and has no direct contact with the parish. 14.30 Earls Colne, Hillie Bunnies 14.36 Earls Colne, Tey Road, Lowefields 14.37 White Colne, Village Green Full details of all the above timetables, 14.40 White Colne, Colne Commercials, including all stops, are available from Colchester Rd www.travelineeastanglia.org.uk Does not operate on Bank Holidays. WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT A HEART ATTACK

Should you suspect that a person you are with is suffering from a heart attack or they have stopped breathing for whatever reason, Call the Ambulance Service first on 999. When, and only when you have taken this step, you may call any of the trained defibrillator volunteers on this list who will attend with the AED (Automated External Defibrillator) and assist you until the Ambulance Service arrive.

LIST OF DEFIBRILLATOR OPERATIVES Name First phone Second phone Darran Lingley 01787 224166 (5 Bells) 07715 991221 (Mob) Richard Jones 07813 746717 (Mob) 01787 223666 (Home) Brian Fleming 07967 949808 (Mob) 01787 224166 (5 Bells) 01787 222080 (Home) Barbara & Geoffery Marcoolyn 01787 222334 07771 950735 Jo Davidson 01787 223163 07815 140568 Suzie & Adrian Gasser 01787 224983 07714 647696 Ginny Jeggo 07792 424061 01787 220358 Paul Knightly 07583 522908 01787 581701 Lucy Orrow 01787 224786 07711 704770 Mary Ashby 01787 222799 07745 474959 Moira Mizon 07947 499126 01787 220497 Gareth Jones 01787 224318 07771 503306 Jane Roach 01787 221390 07739 118116

PLEASE NOTE WE CAN ONLY ATTEND INCIDENTS

56 / www.colne-engaine.org.uk

58 / www.colne-engaine.org.uk 1 Sat 2 Sun Colnes Footpath Association (p. 52) 10am 3 Mon 4 Tue Midweek Communion (p. 8); Senior Citizens Lunch (p. 47) 5 Wed 3.30 Express (p. 27) 6 Thu Prayers For The Parishes (p. 5) 7 Fri F.A.C.E.S. Catch-Up (p. 9); Youth Club (p. 27); Village Ladies (p. 46) 8 Sat ‘Like The Stars In The Sky’ (p.57) 9 Sun 10am 10 Mon 11 Tue Midweek Communion (p. 8) 12 Wed 13 Thu Prayers For The Parishes (p. 5); Village Ladies (p. 46) 14 Fri 15 Sat 16 Sun Café Church (p. 5) 10am 17 Mon 18 Tue Midweek Communion (p. 8); Senior Citizens Lunch (p. 47) 19 Wed 20 Thu Prayers For The Parishes (p. 5); Seekers (p. 8); Women’s Institute (p.31) 21 Fri 22 Sat 23 Sun 10am 24 Mon 25 Tue Luminous Goas Pancakes! (p. 6); Midweek Communion (p. 8) 26 Wed 27 Thu Prayers For The Parishes (p. 5); Whist Drive (p.50) 28 Fri 29 Sat